Let's See Your Chainsaws

[johninct]

Two of my oldest (1970s vintage). A bunch of other Stihl 011AV, AVTs, (several were freebies from a local Stihl dealer, on their way to their scrap pile). Poulan 2000,2300, all restored like new.

These Homelite were fully restored, new rings, bearings, seals, carbs overhauled, bead blasted and painted them with automotive paint, Sugar Creek decal sets, clear coated.

I Have a Homelite like that. It was one of my projects when I took a class on small engines 25 years ago.

 

[StandupWI]

I run a Stihl 261 and I don't like it. It's kinda gutless. I did buy a new air filter for it somewhat recently. Very expensive.

I totally agree! My Dad's 280c finally gave up after 15 years of heavy use so he gave it to me and he upgraded to a new 261. I just got the 280 back together and we both agree that we like it more than the 261.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks, standup WI.

 

[Andy8430]

Here’s my pioneer saw. My dad purchased this for around the farm use. It has parts from 4 different saws now, but still runs great and is more than I need.



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[Robinson1]

Looks like a dangerous saw to me. Just my 2 cents.

Looks like a saw to me. That's how they all used to be built. Back before the .Gov got involved. Back when USA brands like Homelite and Poulan and McCullough dominated the log woods.

I grew up running an XL12 that looked alot like that. Man that thing was like an alligator (all teeth) and was so loud everyone within 3 miles knew you were cutting wood.

Those old saws were dangerous, and heavy, and made your back hurt and hands go numb. But boy would they cut.

One of those old saws properly tuned with a sharp chain will cut circles around the modern stuff

 

[Ton ton]

I'm definitely glad for the brakes on a saw. I know it saved me some medical costs.

 

[Robinson1]

I'm definitely glad for the brakes on a saw. I know it saved me some medical costs.

Yeah chain brakes are a good thing for sure

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

I'm definitely glad for the brakes on a saw. I know it saved me some medical costs.

Yeah chain brakes are a good thing for sure

I caught the leg on a set of insulated bibs and tore a hole in them by holding my saw in my off hand at idle...now if the saw isnt cutting, the brake is on...

Also saves you chain from idling into the ground....


I will say I grew up on MAC 10-10's

Now run husky 365special(big saw) and stihl 028 av super woodboss(little saw)

 

[Trapps]

Small and Medium. Both serve my modest needs well:

Yellow chains kept sharp are the ticket. I also use pre-mixed VP fuel which both saws seem to like better than the stuff I mix.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Small and Medium. Both serve my modest needs well:

Yellow chains kept sharp are the ticket. I also use pre-mixed VP fuel which both saws seem to like better than the stuff I mix.

Both are nice looking saws.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Small and Medium. Both serve my modest needs well:

Yellow chains kept sharp are the ticket. I also use pre-mixed VP fuel which both saws seem to like better than the stuff I mix.

With regards to your comment on VP fuel, I agree that the pre-mix stuff seems to be a good solution for most, especially people that use their saw only on rare occasions, as it doesn't ruin the carbs as badly as ethanol. That is what I have always done, and I have rebuilt a lot of carbs that were run on pump gas. However, with my growing interest in chainsaws and my growing collection of saws that I try to keep running, pre-mix fuel is becoming quite costly.

As soon as I get a chance, I am going to head to the closest E0 station which is about 20 miles from my house, pick up a 5 gallon can of it and mix it myself with some good quality oil.

For those looking for ethanol free gas, linked is a website that lists the stations by state and city. I'm not sure if this has been linked before or not but...

https://www.pure-gas.org/

Most saw manufacturers, possibly all, recommend to avoid ethanol fuel in your saws.

 

[redwrench60]

I have multiple options for ethanol free quality gasolines available in 87 and 93 octane nearby so without exception everything I own with a carburetor gets ethanol free in the appropriate octane. Everything I own that is 2 stroke (Stihl or otherwise) gets 93 octane ethanol free and Stihl HP synthetic 2 stroke oil at 50:1 ratio. I mix two gallons at a time and use it in everything. I use 5-6 gallons a year. All my carbs are happy.

 

[Ton ton]

With regards to your comment on VP fuel, I agree that the pre-mix stuff seems to be a good solution for most, especially people that use their saw only on rare occasions, as it doesn't ruin the carbs as badly as ethanol. That is what I have always done, and I have rebuilt a lot of carbs that were run on pump gas. However, with my growing interest in chainsaws and my growing collection of saws that I try to keep running, pre-mix fuel is becoming quite costly.

As soon as I get a chance, I am going to head to the closest E0 station which is about 20 miles from my house, pick up a 5 gallon can of it and mix it myself with some good quality oil.

For those looking for ethanol free gas, linked is a website that lists the stations by state and city. I'm not sure if this has been linked before or not but...

https://www.pure-gas.org/

Most saw manufacturers, possibly all, recommend to avoid ethanol fuel in your saws.

That link is accurate for me.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I have multiple options for ethanol free quality gasolines available in 87 and 93 octane nearby so without exception everything I own with a carburetor gets ethanol free in the appropriate octane. Everything I own that is 2 stroke (Stihl or otherwise) gets 93 octane ethanol free and Stihl HP synthetic 2 stroke oil at 50:1 ratio. I mix two gallons at a time and use it in everything. I use 5-6 gallons a year. All my carbs are happy.

Must be nice. I went to the only one within 20 miles of my house and they are closed for the season. The website said they were open, but apparently not.

 

[Trapps]

E0 for all the tools and toys. That app is great. I have 2 options within 10 miles and a 3rd option for 108 nearby.

 

[redwrench60]

Must be nice. I went to the only one within 20 miles of my house and they are closed for the season. The website said they were open, but apparently not.

That *****. I assumed E0 options were available everywhere but I guess not. I’m lucky to have not one, but two options less than 10 minutes away that have both 87 and 93 octane E0 available. One even has a credit card swiper at the pump. Most places that offer E0 here converted their old K-1 Kerosene pumps to offer E0 and you must go in and prepay. They sell the **** out of it down here. There’s pretty much a continuous stream of boaters, M/C riders, hot rodders and lawn companies buying it up. I don’t understand why it’s not available everywhere. It only costs a little more and there’s a market for it.

 

[Ton ton]

2 1/2 miles for me to the no ethanol station.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I can't believe all you tool guys on Garage Journal don't have more chainsaws than this. C'mon guys don't be shy, show off your saws. There are some really cool ones out there and some quite desirable ones as well.

 

[4 FN 27]

I can't believe all you tool guys on Garage Journal don't have more chainsaws than this. C'mon guys don't be shy, show off your saws. There are some really cool ones out there and some quite desirable ones as well.

LOL...

660, 460 361 and T200 All use to clear an area for the Shop.

My favorite SAW M249

 

[Trapps]

LOL at Squad Automatic Weapon. A wise man once said happiness is a belt fed weapon.

 

[racerjohnbf]

I run a Stihl 261 and I don't like it. It's kinda gutless. I did buy a new air filter for it somewhat recently. Very expensive.

A muffler mod really wakes up a 261. Just be sure to re tune the carb if it's not an auto tune saw.

 

[redwrench60]

LOL at Squad Automatic Weapon. A wise man once said happiness is a belt fed weapon.

Happiness is a WELL FED belt fed weapon.

 

[4 FN 27]

Happiness is a WELL FED belt fed weapon.

I know the feeling!!!

 

[velocipede]

OK I'll play. From the bottom:

Twenty year old SOLO from the big box, rebuilt by Solo a few years back and runs great; a Stihl MSE 220 (even runs well on a long extension cord); MS460 Magnum with a 24" bar and dual port muffler to give it a boost, and MS661R C-M with a 36" bar for the chain saw mill.

 

[redwrench60]

I know the feeling!!!

And what a feeling it is! I can see I can’t play in your league but the heart still wants! Nice 1919 by the way.

 

[Arne73]

Heres mine:

~Husky 450 Rancher
~Craftsman/Polun
~McColoch (model unknown)
~Older Craftsman

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[Harley94]

I have a Stihl 015, MS170, MS211, 038Magnum
Husky 51, 372XP
Poulan 2300
I'd do pictures but right now it's too darn cold. I always use E-free gas and mix @ 40:1

 

[Ton ton]

I added some octane booster to the 2cycle gas. It woke the MS 261 up.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I've got a few.... grew up working tree service. Had a firewood business and heat 95% with wood. I miss climbing...

 

[AngryBeaver]

if y'all are looking for one the the best saws ever made, I highly recommend a 372xp. They are likely to be discontinued this year or next. they take very well too mods.

I split 98% of my wood with an axe. I own a splitter and am about to sell it. its five years old and hasn't had two tanks of fuel run through it.

some slabs from the above post with the 660 and alaskan chainsaw mill.

if y'all want to watch a 5 minute axe video, comparing 3 name brand axes and 30" diameter chunks..... good watch.

 

[freudianfloyd]

LOL...

660, 460 361 and T200 All use to clear an area for the Shop.

My favorite SAW M249

Alright, you win.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I've got a few.... grew up working tree service. Had a firewood business and heat 95% with wood. I miss climbing...

Awesome collection! I love the big Huskys!

 

[seanb02]

032AV and the MS362 that replaced it. The 362 really flies through the wood compared to the old one. Same size bar, weight feels about the same. Newer saw certainly handles nicer.

 

[mxdev]

Nothing fancy from me. A Stihl 261 with a 20" bar which paid for itself to clean up an ash tree dropped in my parents backyard.

Also have a Homelite XL-12 that was given to me for free since I seemed like the type of guy that would enjoy it. Was buying an OA tank/torch from an older guy moving, and he threw in a Thunderbolt 225A arc welder for $20, and this saw for free.

Cleaned the carb, and a decade worth of junk, and it starts and runs mint. Loud as hell, but classic two stroke sound.

Also have a couple dead craftsmans, and a poulan, but those aren't worth the effort to post.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Nothing fancy from me. A Stihl 261 with a 20" bar which paid for itself to clean up an ash tree dropped in my parents backyard.

Also have a Homelite XL-12 that was given to me for free since I seemed like the type of guy that would enjoy it. Was buying an OA tank/torch from an older guy moving, and he threw in a Thunderbolt 225A arc welder for $20, and this saw for free.

Cleaned the carb, and a decade worth of junk, and it starts and runs mint. Loud as hell, but classic two stroke sound.

Also have a couple dead craftsmans, and a poulan, but those aren't worth the effort to post.

Those old Homelites are pretty cool looking saws, and I know there are collectors out there for them.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

it's not much but it gets the job done. great homeowner saw.

 

[Bighead38]

Got to use them yesterday to clean up storm damage. I love the little stihl, I used it to cut most of everything yesterday. There were a few more trees I didn’t take a picture.

P.s. I hate cutting trees that have partially fallen and are stuck in other trees.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Took my recent rebuild, an MS290 that has been converted to an MS390 to my dads to cut up some trees he had cut down. I was a little worried about this saw since I used an aftermarket cylinder and piston but the saw screamed and cut way better than expected.

All In with saw, new cylinder and piston, new seals and plug, and new full chisel Stihl chain, I have right at $100 invested.
View media item 98956

 

[redwrench60]

That’s a cool 390 conversion Floyd. I can see how hot rodding and tweaking saws could be fun and addicting. I’ve fixed a bunch along the way but all stock saws. No mods. Maybe we can have some of that stuff in this thread? So far I’ve resisted doing any mods to my MS461......

 

[freudianfloyd]

That’s a cool 390 conversion Floyd. I can see how hot rodding and tweaking saws could be fun and addicting. I’ve fixed a bunch along the way but all stock saws. No mods. Maybe we can have some of that stuff in this thread? So far I’ve resisted doing any mods to my MS461......

Besides this saw, which was a matter of just swapping piston and cylinder, the most I typically do is remove the spark arrestor screen and maybe mod the muffler. But I usually dont do that to my good saws. I've never messed with advancing timing, or porting a saw. I would like to give it a try someday though. I would love to get my MS461 ported.